Merry Krampusmas!

I sent out Krampus cards last Holiday season and did so again this year (got them in the mail pretty late so most will probably arrive after the 24th — better late than never I guess).

Krampus is a character from the folklore of the Tyrolean region of Europe — a long tongued devil who assists Saint Nicholas — where the Saint rewards the good kids, Krampus carries off the bad ones. Krampus also enjoys shaking chains, beating kids with switches and doing God knows what with that unspeakable tongue. In the past, some people sent “Krampus cards” to friends and family around Saint Nicholas’ feast day (December 6th). Today people are bringing the Krampus card tradition back — there are dozens of different designs of Krampus cards for sale on sites like Etsy.  And I’ve started making my own (this year’s design, in which Krampus looks a little cross-eyed, is reproduced above. Last years design can be seen here.).

Some places even hold an event called a “Krampuslauf” (Krampus run) where some dress up as devils, parade around and shake chains and whip other people with birch branches. I suspect consumption of alcohol may also be involved.

W.I.P. – Battle in the Tower

Work in progress – beast men defend their dark and dirty lair.